U.S. patent application number 15/054592 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for hidden foldable tray table.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Scott Holmes DUNHAM, S. M. Iskander FAROOQ, Mohammed Omar FARUQUE, Dean M. JARADI.
Application Number | 20170246973 15/054592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59580418 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170246973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FAROOQ; S. M. Iskander ; et
al. |
August 31, 2017 |
HIDDEN FOLDABLE TRAY TABLE
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a table that may be
selectively stored in a portion of a vehicle console. An outer
housing member having a storage cavity therein attaches to a side
of the vehicle console. A support shaft supporting a table is
mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the
vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction
from a storage position wherein the table is positioned in a
vertical orientation in the cavity of the outer housing member. The
support shaft is also rotatable 270 degrees from the storage
position to move the table into a horizontal use position after
removal from the storage position.
Inventors: |
FAROOQ; S. M. Iskander;
(Novi, MI) ; DUNHAM; Scott Holmes; (Redford,
MI) ; JARADI; Dean M.; (Macomb, MI) ; FARUQUE;
Mohammed Omar; (Ann Arbor, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59580418 |
Appl. No.: |
15/054592 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 7/04 20130101; B60N
3/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 3/00 20060101
B60N003/00; B60R 7/04 20060101 B60R007/04 |
Claims
1. A table assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a support shaft
having a table mounted thereon, the support shaft mounted for
sliding and rotational movement with respect to a central vehicle
console, the support shaft being slidable in a first direction from
a storage position with the table positioned in a vertical
orientation, the support shaft being rotatable to move the table
into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage
position.
2. The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the support shaft is
configured to rotate in a first direction 270 degrees into the
horizontal use position.
3. The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table includes first
and second table sections pivotally connected together.
4. The table assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second
table sections are positioned adjacent to one another when in the
storage position.
5. The table assembly of claim 3, wherein the horizontal use
position includes an initial use position and a final use position,
wherein the first and second table sections are positioned adjacent
to one another while in the initial use position.
6. The table assembly of claim 5, wherein the first table section
is configured to rotate 180 degrees in a second direction, away
from the second table section to the final use position.
7. The table assembly of claim 2, wherein the support shaft
includes a guide member that engages a guide stop disposed within
the central vehicle console to hold the table in the use
position.
8. The table assembly of claim 1, further comprising an outer
housing member that attaches to a side of the vehicle console,
wherein the outer housing member includes a cavity for storing the
table in storage position.
9. The table assembly of claim 8, further comprising a finger grip
disposed on a forward end of the support shaft to facilitate
extraction of the table from the cavity.
10. The table assembly of claim 8, further comprising a stopper
member disposed on a rearward end of the support shaft to prevent
complete extraction of the support shaft from the cavity when
extracting the table from the storage position.
11. The table assembly of claim 8, further comprising a locking
mechanism disposed through the support shaft, adjacent a rear end
of the support shaft, the locking mechanism deploying after exiting
the cavity and preventing the support shaft from unintentionally
reentering the cavity from the use position.
12. The table assembly of claim 1, further comprising support
members disposed on the table, transverse to the support shaft.
13. A vehicle console arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: an
outer housing member that attaches to a side of a vehicle console
housing; and a support shaft having a table mounted thereon that is
mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the
vehicle console housing, wherein the support shaft is slidable in a
first direction from a storage position, wherein the table is
positioned in a vertical orientation in a cavity disposed within
the outer housing member, and wherein the support shaft is
rotatable 270 degrees from the storage position to move the table
into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage
position.
14. The vehicle console of claim 13, wherein the table includes
first and second table sections pivotally connected together and
positioned adjacent to one another when in the storage
position.
15. The vehicle console of claim 14, wherein the horizontal use
position includes an initial use position and a final use position,
wherein the first and second table sections are positioned adjacent
to one another while in the initial use position, and wherein the
first table section is rotated 180 degrees in a second direction,
away from the second table section to the final use position.
16. A vehicle console arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a
vehicle console housing having a top cover attached thereto, the
top cover having a cavity therein; and a table assembly mounted in
the top cover for selective storage of the table assembly, wherein
the table assembly further comprises a pair of support shafts
supporting a table member, and wherein the support shafts are
selectively slidable outwardly along a horizontal plane from the
vehicle console housing to move the table assembly from a storage
position to a use position.
17. The vehicle console arrangement of claim 16, wherein the table
assembly includes first and second sections pivotally connected to
a center section, and wherein the first and second section are
pivoted toward one another to overlay the center section when the
table assembly is in a storage position and pivoted away from one
another to lie in a plane with the center section when in the use
position.
18. The vehicle console arrangement of claim 17, wherein the first
and second sections have a combined width that equals a width of
the center section.
19. The vehicle console arrangement of claim 16, further comprising
support members attached to the support shafts, wherein the support
members are foldable from a storage configuration and wherein the
support members underlie the table member, to a use configuration,
where the table engages with a support slot formed in the vehicle
console housing.
20. The vehicle console arrangement of claim 16, further comprising
a finger grip on a forward edge of the table assembly.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to table
arrangements for rear vehicle passengers and more particularly, to
a table arrangement that may be selectively stored in a central
vehicle console when not in use.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some high end luxury vehicles and limousines have trays or
tables may be disposed in a rear console of a vehicle for use by
passengers in the rear compartment of the vehicle so that those
passengers may place a book table, cell phone, drinking glasses, or
other light weight consumer infotainment or personal item on the
tray or table. These configurations can be quite costly, as the
rear console must be engineered with enough packaging space to
accommodate a table or modifications must be made to the rear panel
of the vehicle compartment.
[0003] Other known arrangements include flip down trays/tables that
may be mounted to front vehicle seatbacks. However, these
arrangements can lead to discomfort to the front vehicle
passengers, when these trays/tables are either initially released
from a storage position on the seatback or when re-stowed to the
seatback, due to force on the seatback.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a cost-effective tray/table
arrangement that may be easily stowed, as well as utilized by the
rear passengers in a vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one exemplary arrangement, a selectively storable table
assembly for a vehicle is provided that comprises a support shaft
and a table. The support shaft has a table mounted thereon. The
support shaft is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with
respect to a central vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable
in a first direction from a storage position with the table
positioned in a vertical orientation. The support shaft is also
rotatable to move the table into a horizontal use position after
removal from the storage position.
[0006] In another exemplary arrangement, a selectively storable
table assembly for a vehicle comprises an outer housing member
having a storage cavity therein. The outer housing member attaches
to a side of a vehicle console. A support shaft supporting a table
is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the
vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction
from a storage position wherein the table is positioned in a
vertical orientation in the cavity of the outer housing member. The
support shaft is also rotatable 270 degrees from the storage
position to move the table into a horizontal use position after
removal from the storage position.
[0007] In yet another exemplary arrangement, a vehicle console
arrangement for a vehicle is disclosed wherein the vehicle console
housing has a top cover attached thereto, the top cover having a
cavity therein for selectively receiving a table assembly. The
table assembly is mounted in the top cover. More specifically, a
pair of support shaft supporting a table member is mounted within
the cavity, with the support shaft being selectively slidable
outwardly along a horizontal plane from the cavity in the top cover
to move the table assembly from a storage position to a use
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first arrangement of a
selectively stowable tray/table in a storage configuration;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the selectively stowable
tray/table in a use position;
[0010] FIG. 1C is a side elevational view of an end of a support
shaft of the stowable tray/table;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the tray/table when in an
initial use position;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the tray/table when in
a full use position;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table in
an initial storage position;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table
when initially moved from a storage compartment;
[0015] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table
when moved to the initial use position depicted in FIG. 2A;
[0016] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table
when moved to the full use position depicted in FIG. 2B;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a partial elevational view of an end of the
support shaft with a stopper element for preventing full
dislodgement of the support shaft from the storage compartment;
[0018] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of an end of a
support shaft with a locking mechanism;
[0019] FIG. 4C is a partial elevational view of an end of the
support shaft as the locking mechanism of FIG. 4B begins to exit an
outer housing member;
[0020] FIG. 4D is a top plan view of an end of the support shaft as
a guide member contacts a guide stop disposed within the outer
housing member;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an environmental view of the stowable tray/table
arrangement with the tray/table positioned in a vehicle in the
storage configuration;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the stowable tray/table
arrangement with the tray/table positioned in a vehicle in the full
use position;
[0023] FIG. 7A is perspective view of a second arrangement of a
selectively stowable tray/table in a storage configuration;
[0024] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the selectively stowable
tray/table of FIG. 7A in an initial use position, after it exits a
storage cavity disposed in a vehicle console;
[0025] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the selectively stowable
tray/table of FIGS. 7A and 7B in the full use position;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a top section of
a vehicle console taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7A;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the selectively
stowable tray/table of FIG. 7B; and
[0028] FIG. 10A is a top plan view of a support shaft disposed
within the top section of a vehicle console; and
[0029] FIG. 10B is a side elevational view of the top section of
the vehicle console of FIG. 10A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a storable tray/table unit 10
is shown mounted to a vehicle console 12. Vehicle console 12 is
positioned centrally within a vehicle. In one exemplary
arrangement, vehicle console 12 is configured as a forward central
console that is disposed between two front vehicle seats, as shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0032] Storable tray/table unit 10 comprises an outer housing
member 14 that has an elongated cavity 16 therein, a support shaft
18, and a table member 20. The support shaft 18 is mounted within
the cavity 16. The table member 20 is secured to the support shaft
18.
[0033] The support shaft 18 is mounted on a sliding track that is
positioned within a side wall of the cavity 16. The cavity 16 is
open at the end 22 of the vehicle console 12. As will be described
in further detail below, the support shaft 18 is mounted to be
slidable, outwardly from the opening to the cavity 16 at the end 22
of the vehicle console 12. In one exemplary arrangement, a rearward
end of the support shaft 18 may be provided with a guide member
(not shown) that is received within the sliding track to facilitate
controlled movement of the table member 20 during sliding. In
addition, as will also be explained below, the support shaft 18 is
configured to be rotatable within the cavity 16 to move the table
member 20 to a use position, as shown in FIG. 1B.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, details of the table member 20
are shown. Table member 20 includes first and second sections 24a
and 24b. First and second sections 24a and 24b are pivotally
connected to one another and secured to the support shaft 18 by
hinge members 26. Hinge members 26 each include a sleeve channel 28
into which the support shaft 18 is mounted. To provide support
weight placed on the table member 20, when position in a use
position, as shown in FIG. 1B, each section of the table member 20
may further include a support shaft 30 extending transverse to a
hinge axis HA about which the first and second sections 24a and 24b
are positioned. The support shaft 18 may be designed to provide
support for a targeted weight that the table member 20 would be
expected to reliably bear during a normal expected customer use
cycle.
[0035] To facilitate removal of the table member 20 from the cavity
16, a forward end 32 may be configured with a finger grip, such as
a hook or knob that will extend outwardly from the cavity 16 when
the table member 20 is in a stored position, as shown in FIG. 1A.
The finger grip will allow for easy removal of the table member 20
from the cavity 16. An example of a finger grip 34 is shown in FIG.
1C. However, it is understood that the finger grip make take on
different configurations.
[0036] Operation of the support tray/table unit 10 will now be
explained in connection with FIGS. 3A-3D. FIG. 3A depicts the
stored position of the table member 20. In this configuration, the
support shaft 18 is seated within the cavity 16. If provided, the
finger grip 34 will extend out of the cavity 16 for easy access by
a rear passenger in a vehicle. The table member 20 is arranged to
hang vertically from the support shaft 18 within the cavity 16.
This configuration allows for easy storage of the table member 20,
but without causing significant packaging concerns, conveniently
utilizing the space between the vehicle console 12 and a forward
vehicle seat.
[0037] Next, referring to FIG. 3B, the table member 20 is slid
outwardly from the front end 22 of the vehicle console 12, until
the table member 20 has fully exited the cavity 16. In one
exemplary arrangement, a rear end of the support shaft 18 may be
provided with a stopper member 36, such as an annular flange (shown
in FIG. 4A) that bears against an inside surface of the outer
housing 14 at the opening of the cavity to prevent the support
shaft 18 from being fully extracted from the cavity 16.
[0038] FIG. 4B illustrates a locking mechanism 38 that may be used
with support shaft 18. In one exemplary arrangement, locking
mechanism 38 includes a post member 40 that supports a spring 42
thereon. Locking elements 44 are positioned on either side of the
spring 42. The locking mechanism 38 is disposed within a channel
46. Locking mechanism 38 may be used in addition to the stopper 36.
More specifically, in operation, as the support shaft 18, carrying
the table member 20 is moved outwardly from the cavity 16, the
locking elements 44 will be forced into the channel 46, against the
biasing force of the spring 42 as the locking mechanism 38 passes
through the wall of the outer housing member 14. In one exemplary
arrangement, the interior wall of the outer housing member 14 may
include tapered directing grooves 48 (as shown in FIG. 4C) to guide
the locking elements 44 into the channel 46. Once the locking
mechanism 38 exits the outer housing member 14, the biasing force
of the spring 42 will force the locking elements 44 to extend out
of the channel 46 to lock the table member 20 against unintentional
reintroduction into the cavity 16. The stopper 36 will prevent
support shaft 18 from fully exiting the cavity 16. It is understood
that a second locking mechanism 38 may be provided instead of the
stopper 36.
[0039] Once the support shaft 18 has fully exited from the cavity
16, next the support shaft 18 is rotated 270.degree. to an
intermediate use position, as shown in FIG. 3C. In this position, a
portion of the table member 20 is positioned to be generally
horizontal. In one exemplary configuration, this position is
accomplished by a user holding the table member 20 generally
horizontal. Alternatively, an end of the support shaft 18 may be
provided with a guide member 50 that comes to rest on a guide stop
52 that is disposed within the outer housing member 14, as shown in
FIG. 4D to hold the table member 20 in the intermediate use
position. When the table member 20 is in the intermediate use
position, the first section 24a is overlaid onto the second section
24b.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3D, the table member 20 is next moved into
the full use position by lifting the first section 24a and rotating
the first section 24a 180.degree. in a direction opposite that the
support shaft 18 was rotated to the intermediate use position shown
in FIG. 3C. The hinge members 26 serve to hold the table member 20
in the full use position. As discussed above, the first and second
sections 24a, 24b further include support members 30 that generally
extend horizontally when the table member 20 is in the full use
position that provide additional support for the table member 20.
Alternatively, or additionally, the first section 24a may further
include a secondary support member 54 that is pivotally attached to
an edge of the first section 24a. The end of the secondary support
member 54 may be disposed within a support opening 56 formed
through the vehicle console 12, shown in FIG. 3C. While the table
member 20 is shown as having first and second sections 24a, 24b
with a semi-circular shape when in the full use position, it is
understood that the other shapes of the table member 20 are
contemplated. Further, while the table member 20 is shown as being
disposed on right side of the vehicle console 12, it is understood
that the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement.
[0041] When the table member 20 is positioned in its full use
position (as shown in FIG. 6), the table member 20 may be used by
the occupants in the rear passenger compartment of a vehicle, as
shown in FIG. 6. While table member 20 is shown as having two
generally planar sections 24a, 24b, alternatively, first and second
sections 24a, 24b may be provided with depressions or holes to
serve as cup holders.
[0042] When it is desired to re-stow the table member 20, the
secondary support member 54 (if provided) is detached from the
support opening 56 and the first section 24a is rotated 180.degree.
back onto the second section 24b. Once the first and second
sections 24a, 24b are brought together, the table member is rotated
in the opposite direction 270.degree. to the position shown in FIG.
3B. Next, the locking mechanism 38 is compressed by the user to
allow the support shaft 18 to be slid back into the cavity 16 of
the outer housing until it is seated therein, as shown in FIGS. 3A
and FIG. 5.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7B is an alternative storable
tray/table unit 100 mounted to a vehicle console 12 that is
centrally positioned within a vehicle. In the exemplary
arrangement, vehicle console 12 is configured as a forward central
console disposed between two front vehicle seats. However, the
tray/table unit 100 may also be incorporated into a central rear
vehicle console (not shown).
[0044] Storable tray/table unit 100 is disposed within a top cover
114 of the vehicle console 12. A narrow slot 116 is formed through
an end face 118 of the top cover 114. The narrow slot 116 opens
into a cavity 120 formed in the top cover 114, as shown in FIG. 8
(additional components that are disposed within the cavity are
removed for ease of explanation). The slot 116 and cavity 120 are
sized to accommodate a folded table member 122, as will be
explained below.
[0045] Storable tray/table unit 100 comprises a pair of support
shafts 124, arranged spaced apart and parallel to one another, and
the table member 122. The support shafts 124 are mounted within the
cavity 120, and more specifically on a sliding track that is
positioned within a side wall of the cavity 120. The table member
20 is secured to the support shafts 124.
[0046] As will be described in further detail below, the support
shafts 124 are mounted to be slidable, outwardly from the slot 116
from the end face 118 of the top cover 114 of the vehicle console
12. In one exemplary arrangement, a rearward end of each of the
support shafts 124 may be provided with a guide member (not shown)
that is received within the sliding track to facilitate controlled
movement of the table member 122 during sliding. Unlike the
tray/table unit 10, the support shafts 124 are not configured to be
rotatable within the cavity 120.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 7B, the table member 122 is shown as it
exits the slot 116, in a preliminary use position. Table member 122
includes a center section 126a, and two side sections 126b, 126c.
The side sections 126b and 126c are pivotally connected to an edge
of the center section 126a and secured to one of the support shafts
124 by hinge members 128 (best seen in FIG. 7B). Hinge members 128
each include a sleeve channel into which a support shaft 124 is
mounted, as may be seen in FIG. 9. Support shaft 124 may further
include locking mechanisms on the ends of the support shaft similar
to locking mechanisms 38 depicted in FIG. 4B, as well as stopper
members similar to stopper member 36 depicted in FIG. 4A. Locking
mechanisms 38 serve to maintain the table member 122 in an initial
use position by providing resistance to the table member 122
unintentionally entering back into the cavity 120. Stopper member
36 serves to prevent the support shafts 124 from fully exiting the
cavity 120, thereby accidently dislodging the table member 122 from
the vehicle console 12.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 9, when the table member 122 is in the
preliminary use position, the two side sections 126b, 126c are
folded toward one another and overlaid onto the center section
126a. To facilitate extraction of the table member 122 from the
slot 116, each of the two side sections 126b, 126c may be provided
with a finger grip, such as a hook or knob that will extend
outwardly from the cavity 120 when the table member 122 is in a
stored position, as shown in FIG. 7A. The finger grip will allow
for easy removal of the table member 122 from the cavity 120. An
example of a finger grip 132 is shown in FIG. 9. However, it is
understood that the finger grip make take on different
configurations. As a further alternative arrangement, the top edge
of the tabled member (when in a stored position) may include an
integral lip that extends out from the slot 116 when the table
member 122 is in a stored position.
[0049] The storable tray/table unit 100 further includes support
members 134 that are pivotally mounted to an edge of the center
section 126a. When the table member 122 is in the stored position,
the support member 134 are pivoted toward one another to underlie
the center section 126a, as shown in FIG. 9. However, the support
members 134 may also be pivoted outward and turned downwardly so
that an end of the support member 134 may each be received within a
support slot 136, as will be explained below.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, use of the storable tray/table
unit 100 will now be described. When in the stored position, the
table member 122 is generally fully disposed within the cavity 120
in the top cover 114 of a vehicle console 12. More specifically,
either a finger grip, such as finger grip 132, a lip (not shown),
or an edge of the table member 122 is accessible at the slot 116 to
allow a user to extract the table member 122 from the cavity 120
and move it into the initial use position (shown in FIG. 7B).
[0051] As a further alternative extraction arrangement, one of the
support shafts 124 may include an integral lever member 140, as
shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The top cover 114 may be provided with
an open track 142 through which the lever member 140 extends. When
the table member 122 is in the stored position, the lever member
140 is in a rearward position, as shown in FIG. 10B. To move the
table to the initial use position, the lever member 140 may be
grasped by a user and moved to a forward position, indicated by the
phantom lever in FIG. 10B. With this configuration, the lever
member 140 may replace the stopper 36, as the lever member 140 will
prevent the support shafts 124 from exiting the cavity.
[0052] Once the table member 122 is extracted from the cavity, the
locking mechanism 38 described above in connection with FIG. 4B may
be deployed to temporarily lock the table member 122 out of the
cavity. As the table member 122 is stored in a horizontal position,
there is no need to rotate the table member 122 into an initial use
position.
[0053] Next, the side sections 126b and 126c are rotated away from
one another, 180.degree., as well as away from the center section
126a, as indicated by arrows A and B in FIG. 7C. In this manner,
the side sections 126b, 126c are unfolded from the initial use
position to the full use position shown in FIG. 7C.
[0054] Hinge members 128 may be configured to provide some support
for the side sections 126b and 126c when moved into the full use
position. Alternatively, or in addition, support members 134 may be
used. Support members 134 are folded underneath the center section
126a when in the initial use and stored positions with their
respect free ends facing one another, as demonstrated in FIG. 9.
The opposite ends are pivotally attached to the support shafts 124.
The free ends 135 of the support members 134 are then pivoted to
place the free ends 135 into support slots 136, as shown in FIG.
7C. To account for height adjustment, the support members 134 may
be telescoping members and have a locking collet (not shown).
[0055] To return the table member 122 to its stored position, the
support members 134 are pivoted back toward one another with the
free ends facing one another under the center section. Next, the
side sections 126b and 126c are rotated clockwise 180.degree. to
overlay the center section, thereby placing the table member 122
back into the initial use position shown in FIG. 7B. The table
member 122 is then slid back into the cavity 120 by sliding the
support shafts 124 back into the cavity through the slot 116.
[0056] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *